Get Better Sleep

 

Getting a good amount of deep sleep on a regular bases is needed for good health. Here are some ideas to ensure that you can get the sleep that you need for overall health. Getting good sleep will help you think better and be more prepared to handle stressful situations. 

Try to follow a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed around the same time every night and awake at the same time. Have a routine before you go to bed. 

Make sure that you have no sources or noise or light that could disrupt your sleep.

Cut down on caffeine later in the day. 

Avoid eating any heavy meal or food right before bed.

Avoid alcohol. It can interfere with restorative deep sleep.

Have a daily exercise routine. Not immediately before bed. But earlier in the day.

Avoid using any devices close to your bedtime. They emit a blue light that suppresses the secretion of melatonin. ( This is the one thing that I am having a hard time with. My dog wakes me up in the middle of the night to go out and I pick up my phone! Then I find that I have a hard time getting back to sleep. I am trying to keep my phone in another room so I can fight that urge to get on it in the middle of the night.)

Use Lavender essential oils before bedtime. Get an Aromatherapy Diffuser to use in your bedroom before bed. I would turn it off right before you get in bed. Try to use it about an hour before bed.

Or maybe use bath products that have lavender in them. Lavender has been linked to improved sleep quality.

Food Storage Recipe - Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls

Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls

 

NEED

1 1/2 lbs. chicken breasts

16 oz. jar salsa

2 cloves garlic, minced

15 oz. can black beans, drained

1/2 lb. frozen corn

1 Tbsp chili powder

1/2 Tbsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Freshly cracked black pepper

6 cups cooked rice

8 oz. shredded cheddar

3 green onions, sliced (or fresh cilantro)

Place chicken in a slow cooker. Add black beans, salsa, corn, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, and pepper. Stir to distribute spices.

Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

Shred the chicken with a fork. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Serve over rice, topped with cheddar and green onions.

 

Food Storage Recipe - Pasta Fagioli

 Pasta Fagioli that is very good and will be a hit with the whole family.

 

2 lbs. of ground beef

1 onion, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

4 stalks of celery, chopped

2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomato’s, undrained

1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (16 ounce) can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed

3 (10 ounce) cans of beef stock

3 tsp. oregano

2 tsp. pepper

5 tsp. parsley

1 tsp. tabasco sauce (optional)

1 (20 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

8 ounces of pasta

Brown the beef and drain the fat……then put into crock pot with all other ingredients except the pasta. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on High for 4-5 hours. Add the pasta 30 minutes before eating. Serve with crusty warm bread!!! Note: if you do not have a large crock pot, cut the recipe in half. Pasta Fagioli also freezes wonderfully, so you can make a big batch and freeze the rest!!! Enjoy everyone.

Food Storage Recipe - Loaded Zucchini Bake

This is a great recipe to use up the zucchini from the garden. Easy to make and very delicious.

 Loaded Zucchini Bake

NEED-

Zucchini

Garlic Salt

Shredded Cheese

Crumbled Bacon

Green onions

Slice zucchini into rounds and add to a baking dish.

Top with cheese, bacon and onions.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

I just eyeballed the ingredients to our liking.

 

 

 

 

MALACASA Casserole Dishes for Oven, Porcelain Baking Dishes, Ceramic Bakeware Sets of 4, Rectangular Lasagna Pans Deep with Handles for Baking Cake Kitchen, White (9.4"/11.1"/12.2"/14.7"), Series

Food Storage Recipe - Stuffed Pepper Casserole

 

This Stuffed Pepper Casserole combines the hearty, comforting flavors of traditional stuffed peppers into an easy, one-pan meal.

NEED:

1 pound of ground beef

half a cup of chopped bell peppers and onions

Garlic

Tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

1 can of diced tomatoes

Use that can to get a can of water

White rice - about 3/4 cup

salt and pepper

Italian seasoning to taste

shredded Mozzarella cheese  

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until mostly browned.

 Add the onions and bell peppers to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook for 5-10 minutes until they start to soften.

 Add the minced garlic to the beef mixture and cook for another minute or two until fragrant.

 Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, diced tomatoes, uncooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.

 Stir in half of the cheese until it is melted and well combined with the beef and rice mixture.

 Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the casserole. Cover the skillet again and let the cheese melt. 

 Remove from heat and serve.